Award Winners by Aramark Building Community

Workforce Readiness Award

Across the country community centers are uniquely positioned to prepare a wide range of individuals for, and help place them into jobs and careers. The comprehensive nature of family support services offered, the on-going relationship with neighbors, the deep multifaceted expertise of staff, and extensive connections to community assets provide a foundation for strong workforce programs.

The Winner and Honorable Mentions for the 2011 ARAMARK Building Community 2011 Innovation Award for Workforce Readiness demonstrate success in delivering job readiness programs to remove barriers that limit peoples’ ability to get and keep jobs. They provide essential training and support services in job-related “hard” skills and the personal “soft” skills.

2011 Winner

Northern Virginia Family Services (NVFS)
Training Futures Program
Oakton, VA

Training Futures is an intensive twenty-five week job readiness program that prepares more than 100 unemployed and underemployed youth and adults for jobs in local health care institutions and businesses. Since 1996, over 1,000 low-income, unemployed, or underpaid individuals have been able to enter or re-enter the workforce.

Highlights of Training Futures include:

A 17-week technical and professional training unit that includes computer skills, relevant English and math for a business environment, core organizational and office skills, professional development workshops, training in medical terminology and business communication.
A three-week internship where students are placed in local businesses and hospitals to provide critical exposure to what are often new professional settings. This hands-on training and practical experience helps communicate the norms of business environments; increases participants’ confidence; and provides immediate feedback through performance reviews.
One-on-one support throughout the job search process with assistance in resume writing, interviewing, and business etiquette.